Chapter 1:
"Ana! Ana!" I hear an over enthusiastic Jose call as he weaves his way in between the other students roaming the halls of WSU.
"Jose, hi!" He smiles broadly at me and pulls me into a very touchy hug.
"Dios mios Ana you look gorgeous today! Well, as always. How was your mom's?" He kisses my hand and I give him nervous laughter.
"It was ok I guess." He nods and winks at me. I'm not really sure why he still flirts with me, I've made it very clear that I don't want a relationship with him. He just doesn't get the point. Thank god I hear the voice I do because I know I'm saved.
"Ana! God I've been looking for you everywhere! How are you! You've missed me so much I can tell. Oh my god you're going to love first period! It's with Mr Grey and I swear I've never seen someone so hot." I laugh as she takes my hand and leads me away from Jose. I give a quick little wave and he does the same before walking in the opposite direction.
"I have to go to the bathroom Kate. I'll meet you in there."
"You know where it is?" I nod and wave her off. When I exit the ladies I realise I actually have no clue where I'm going, I get my schedule out my bag. Shit! It's in the west block and I'm in the east block! I'm going to be late and apparently this new teacher guy is super strict as well as being 'super hot' as Kate told me. I practically sprint across campus and scan all the doors. 214, 215, 216, 217! Gotcha! I take a deep breath but the door opens as I'm about to knock on the door and I bump into a rock hard chest. Oh my, I look up and stare into beautiful grey eyes. Angry grey eyes. Oh lordy, is this the teacher?
"You're late. I presume you are Miss Steele?" I open my mouth to speak but no words come out so I just nod. He raises his eyebrows and his eyes soften as if he's just noticing me. What is happening? Suddenly his expression hardens and a frosty look appears in his eyes. "Instead of just standing there I suggest you go in and take a seat. You need to catch up on a lot of things. Begin with the starter activity on the board. Do you understand?" I nod and walk in with my head down. He turns and shuts the door. As I'm about to sit next to Kate at the back he barks at me again. "Miss Williams swap seats with Miss Steele." I notice Leila Williams is sitting at the front middle desk. Oh god, I haven't even done anything wrong. I make my way to the front and brush past a glaring Leila. I take a seat and look at the task on the board:
Write a sixty second speech on one of the following...
I choose impulse and begin to write.
"Miss Steele. Stand up and read your starter." I look up at him.
"But I haven't fini-"
"-Improvise then. Stand up and read. I will be timing you." I timidly stand up holding my notebook. I clear my throat.
"It's a shame that-"
"-Speak louder." I look up at him briefly and he's staring at me, his gaze intense.
"It's a shame that impulse isn't a thing we associate ourselves with very often. To me, a person should be able to act on their impulse, the first thing that comes into their brain. But because society has groomed it's children to think that you can't voice any impulse you have left we are all effectively silenced, waiting for the day that we will be aloud to say what pops into our heads. This, unfortunately will never happen because whilst we sit in silence waiting for that day all impulse will slowly fade, until we are all the same, until every thought is the same. To keep impulse alive, we have to keep original thoughts alive. Whether that be through anger, happiness, sadness, or love, somehow we have to convey our feelings to keep impulse an existing thing." I take a breath and look up at him, he's still staring at me, though his expression is that of surprise. After what feels like hours he finally speaks.
"Well, that was, a good start. Some nice ideas. Well done, Anastasia." My breath hitches as he says my first name. His voice is like sex. Not that I know what that sounds like. I smirk slightly as I take my seat. There are a few more students that are asked to read out their starters, including Kate, who, of course was very confident and delivered her speech as though she were speaking for the country.
"As I told you before this is my first class here at WSU. I will repeat what I said at the beginning of the year. I know this is for extra credit but I still have very high standards for all of you. Especially you, Miss Steele." He looks down at me and I think I see a ghost of a smile on his lips. Wait, did he just say especially me? I don't want to be picked on by the only man I've ever felt something
- down there for. And he's my teacher! This is gonna be a long year. I stand up and start to walk out the classroom when I hear Mr Grey's heavenly voice again. "Miss Steele could you wait behind for a moment please?" I sigh, turn and walk towards his desk. "You missed a lot of work with your absence so you're going to need to come by after school so that I can catch you up." I accidentally let out a little groan and his eyes shoot up to meet mine. "Believe me, Anastasia this is not something I wish to be doing in my free time and you should be grateful that I'm offering it to you. I'm a very busy man."
"I - I'm sorry, sir." His breath hitches when I say sir and his eyes darken. What was that about?
"I'll see you after school, Anastasia."
"Ok, sir." He full on gasps when I say it slower, I turn and almost sashay out the door. I get out the classroom and get stopped by an arm pulling me to the side of the corridor.
"What the fuck was that Steele?" I blink in astonishment.
"What are you talking about Kate?" She gives me a 'don't be stupid' look and I exaggerate my confusion.
"I have very high standards for all of you. Especially you Miss Steele." She says, imitating Mr Grey. I laugh.
"Shut up Kate. I just don't think he likes me." We link arms and start to walk to our next lesson.
"Pshh, he hasn't done that all year to someone. I think he likes you."
"He's my teacher Kate. Don't be absurd."
"I'm just saying I know you can't resist those grey eyes either." I slap her playfully and we continue to walk to our next lesson.